How much sun does Western balsam poplar need?

Western balsam poplar grows best in full sun conditions.

When does Western balsam poplar bloom?

Western balsam poplar blooms in March and April.

Where is Western balsam poplar native?

Western balsam poplar (Populus trichocarpa) is native to CA, ID, MT, NV and 4 more states, per the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew).

What butterflies or moths does Western balsam poplar host?

Western balsam poplar is a larval host plant for western tiger swallowtail and mourning cloak.

Western balsam poplar

Name: Pollinator Patch
Author: Pollinator Patch

Populus trichocarpa

Last reviewed: October 2026

Western balsam poplar (Populus trichocarpa) is a perennial tree native to CA, ID, MT, NV and 4 more states. It blooms in March and April.

Toxicity unknown

Western balsam poplar (Populus trichocarpa) is not listed by the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (opens in new tab) or the other sources we check, so we have no verdict for it either way. Absence from those lists is not a clearance. If your pet shows symptoms after eating any plant, call the ASPCA at (888) 426-4435.

Light

full sun

Water

high

Size

600"–1200" H × 360"–600" W

Bloom

Mar, Apr

Native to

CA, ID, MT, NV and 4 more states

Before you buy

Your city may pay you to plant this

Cities and water utilities offer rebates for replacing lawn with native and water-wise plants. We track 460 programs across 44 states, each with a link to the provider and the date we last checked it.

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Browse plants for this ecoregion

Coast Range Puget Lowland Marine West Coast Forest Northwestern Forested Mountains Sierra Nevada Central California Foothills and Coastal Mountains Southern California Mountains North American Deserts Central Basin and Range Northwestern Great Plains Southern California/Northern Baja Coast

A fast-growing streamside tree with large, glossy, triangular leaves and fragrant, resinous buds that scent the air in early spring. It grows quickly along rivers and moist bottomlands, reaching great size.

Growing Western balsam poplar

Grow Western balsam poplar in full sun and high water. Mature plants reach 600 to 1200 inches tall and spread 360 to 600 inches wide.

Wildlife value

Host plant for western tiger swallowtail, mourning cloak.

Its foliage is a larval host for western tiger swallowtail and mourning cloak caterpillars, and the tree provides significant habitat structure along waterways.

Common questions

How much sun does Western balsam poplar need?: Western balsam poplar grows best in full sun conditions.
When does Western balsam poplar bloom?: Western balsam poplar blooms in March and April.
Where is Western balsam poplar native?: Western balsam poplar (Populus trichocarpa) is native to CA, ID, MT, NV and 4 more states, per the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew).
What butterflies or moths does Western balsam poplar host?: Western balsam poplar is a larval host plant for western tiger swallowtail and mourning cloak.

Native range data from the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew). Pollinator and host plant associations compiled from GBIF, iNaturalist, and published ecological literature.

If something looks wrong

Common plant problems, and what to check first

These come up on almost any plant. Each guide lists the likely causes in the order they are worth ruling out, with one thing to check before you act on any of them, and links to the source it came from.

See all plant problem guides

Ready to grow Western balsam poplar? Add it to your garden in Pollinator Patch to track it and get season-by-season care guidance.

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